St. Dom’s students support Children’s Hospital
Trading a day of their vacation to help children in need of comfort was an easy decision for 16 sixth-grade students at Saint Dominic Academy. A special trip from the academy’s Lewiston campus to the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland on April 18 was the culmination of a toy drive held by the sixth graders, who collected over 100 teddy bears and a large assortment of books, games, puzzles, and other toys for the young patients at the hospital. During their visit, a hospital representative gave each student a Maine Medical Center doll in appreciation of their shared act of compassion.
“The toy drive was a wonderful success,” said Jennifer Poliquin, a sixth-grade teacher at the academy. “We want to thank everyone who supported us, especially the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston-Auburn, who donated many of the teddy bears. We can’t wait to do this same service project again next year.”
The efforts of the sixth graders come during the Holy Year of Mercy, the Pope’s call to live out corporal and spiritual works of mercy, including to visit the sick and comfort the afflicted. A special Holy Year of Mercy section including numerous resources has been created on the Diocese of Portland’s website. For more information, see www.portlanddiocese.org/holy-year-of-mercy.